Do Animals have Rights ?What are the Rights of Animals in Islam

Rights of Animals in Islam

Islam has great regards for Animals and Muslims are supposed to respect the rights of Animals and treat them in the best Manner . People often ask what Prophet Muhammad SAW say about animals and animal sacrifice.Here is an attempt to answer the relationship Muslims have with animals.

1)Prophet Muhammad SAW has forbidden the killing of Animals for game and leisure.

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Hadeeth : Muhammad SAW has forbidden the killing of animals except for food. An-Nasa’i and Ibn Habban narrated that the Holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH):

“Whoever kills (even) a little bird unnecessarily, it will complain to God on the Day of Resurrection and say, ‘My Lord, so and so killed me in vain and did not kill me for a useful purpose’.” (Hadith in An-Nasa’i and Ibn Habban)

The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said, “Whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without a just cause, God will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment.” The listeners asked, “O Messenger of God, what is a just cause?” He replied, “That he will kill it to eat, not simply to chop off its head and then throw it away.

2) Do not Overburden the Animals

If the Prophet saw, any animal over-burdened or ill fed he would speak mildly to the owner and say, “Fear God in your treatment of animals.”(Abu Dawood)

One of Prophet Muhammad’s companions narrates, “We were on a journey and during the Prophet’s absence, we saw a bird with its two chicks; we took them. The mother bird was circling above us in the air, beating its wings in grief. When Prophet Muhammad returned he said, “Who has hurt the feelings of this bird by taking its chicks? Return them to her.”(Shaheeh Muslim)

“Do not treat the backs of your animals as pulpits, for God Most high has made them subject to you only to convey you to a place which you could not otherwise have reached without much difficulty.”

3.There is a Reward of Serving the animals too-

The Companions said,”O Allah’s Messenger! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?” He replied: “There is a reward for serving any living being.” (Bukhari)

4. Allah has Allowed Human to eat Certain Animals.

Allah says in Quran

” So eat of that [meat] upon which the name of Allah has been mentioned, if you are believers in His verses.”(Quran 6:118)

“It is He who has subjected to you the ocean, so that you may eat its fresh fish.” (The Holy Qur’an 16:14). And again Allah says

“To hunt and eat the fish of the sea is lawful for you.” (The Holy Qur’an 5: 96)

5.When Sacrificing Animals,they should be put to ease.

Allah has ordained kindness (and excellence) in everything. If the killing (of animals) is to be done, do it in the best manner, and when you slaughter, do it in the best manner by first sharpening the knife, and putting the animal at ease.
(Muslim).

6 .It is not allowed to mutilate an Animal

Any part cut off a living animal is dead flesh.(Unlawful to eat. The implication is that it is not allowed to mutilate a living animal.)(Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Hakim).

7 .People will be taken to account with regards to their treatment of Animals.

On the Day of Judgment, Allah will restore the rights of every creature including the animals. If we had violated the rights of an animal in the world, then Allah will take retribution on their behalf in the Hereafter.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

Allah had once forgiven a prostitute. She passed by a dog panting near a well. Seeing that thirst had nearly killed him, she took off her shoe, tied it to her scarf, and drew up some water. Allah forgave her for that.

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3143

10 . We should keep the animals under our Possession Well Fed and Well Kept

Abdullah ibn Ja’far reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, entered a garden among the Ansar. When a camel saw the Prophet, it started weeping and making sounds as its tears flowed. The Prophet came to it and patted it on the head, so it became silent. The Prophet said:

مَنْ رَبُّ هَذَا الْجَمَلِ لِمَنْ هَذَا الْجَمَلُ

Who is the master of this camel? To whom does it belong?

A young man from the Ansar came and said, “This is mine, O Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet said:

11 . Mistreatment of Animals is a Sin

It is related from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “A woman was once punished after death because of a cat which she had kept confined until it died, and because of this she entered the Fire. She had neither given it food or drink while confining it, nor had she let it free to eat the creatures of the earth.” (Muslim)

12 . Caging of Animals is Sin

“It is a great sin for man to imprison those animals which are in his power.”(Muslim)

13.Animals Baiting and Blood Sports are forbidden in Islam

“The worst of shepherds is the ungentle, who causes the beasts to crush or bruise one another.” (Muslim)

It says in another hadeeth which was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not use anything in which there is a soul as a target.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1957).

As we can see, abusing the rights of an animal was not taken lightly. It is important in this modern age where animals are seen as profitable commodities, as ‘dumb beasts’ with little rights that this Sunnah is rectified. This means not only treating animals compassionately in our daily lives but making sure that any meat we eat has also come from an animal that has been treated well.

Allah says in Quran,

“There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.” (Quran 6:38)

Do Treat Animals Well and Keep the Admin of the Post in your Precious Duas . Jazak Allahu Khair.

Assalamu Alaikum.
I am Aafia , a student of Deen. Islam Hashtag is my attempt to create a Positive Image of Islam . If you like what I do please Pray that Allah swt accepts it from me.
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